Mizzima

The Military Council’s media have announced that the application for passports can be made through the new online booking system at www.passport.gov.mm website effective from 24 February 2023. The system is being restarted after it was suspended on 5 December 2022. 

The online booking system will be used only at the Myanmar Passport Issuing Office (Yangon), and operations at regions and state offices will continue as usual. 

One Yangon passport applicant said it appeared that people needed to apply online using a new QR system, and they noted they would monitor the situation before proceeding. 

There will be no time limit for online booking, and applicants will be able to apply while also paying the fixed charges. However, the payment system and cost specifications were not mentioned in detail.

Those who are unable to make online bookings can apply at their respective township police stations.  Arrangements are underway for everyone to apply easily and it should not be done by paying service charges to brokers.

But there are concerns. 

"The Junta says people can apply online booking at a respective police station, I think they can get information from the people without even going outside. If you are a CDMer, you don’t dare to go to apply for your online booking at a police station. I think this is a kind of trap that they made to arrest the PDF supporters and CDMers. They also have a list of CDM, PDF and people who support the PDF. Last year, CDMs were arrested inside the passport office. For those who are not CDMers, they can probably go to the police station for the booking," said a Yangon resident.

The online application system for passport issuance is being prepared, and detailed information will be released shortly, according to the media.